CRIME SUSPENSTORIES #16 * CGC 5.5 * Crazed Craig Killer

Author:
Title: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES No. 16
Place Published:
Publisher:EC [Indicia: L. L. Publishing Co. Inc.]
Date Published: April-May, 1953
Description: CGC certified: Fine- (5.5). Off-white to white pages. Grader notes: Light bends to cover; moderate creasing to cover; moderate spine stress lines to cover.

CGC Census: 156 graded copies (149 Universal, 1 Signature, 6 Restored).

GPAnalysis: A 5.5 sold for $690 in 4/23; a 6.0 sold for $600 in 10/23.

Credits: Cover: Johnny Craig. Scripts: Johnny Craig and Al Feldstein. Art: Johnny Craig, Jack Kamen, Al Williamson, Joe Orlando. Crazed Craig Killer: Johnny Craig's cover shows a murder victim's eye-view of a throat-slashing madman, from back in the day when even bums and lunatics wore suits. Johnny Craig expressed misgivings about this mag's cover, commenting to writer Max Allan Collins: "The 'razor' on CSS #16 was not one of my favorites as regards subject but I was pleased with the art. It was about this time, I think, that I deliberately strove to design covers with larger, simpler elements. I also disliked the theme of covers #17, 20 and 22, but I cannot recall why I started doing them in such a gruesome manner. Perhaps, for a time, I felt my covers had become too tame." – Liner notes, Crime SuspenStories Vol. 3. Russ Cochran: 1983.______________________________________________________________

A limited edition of ten hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a few dozen softcovers. Fun reference, great keepsake, fully illustrated, chockablock with obscure facts, gags, bon mots. Softcovers are $40, deluxe hardcovers with dust jackets and limitation plates are $200. These books always go fast so don't delay. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

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